Election to replace Thomas set for Oct. 20

The New Orleans City Council voted 5-0 at a special meeting this afternoon to set an election for Oct. 20 to fill the at-large seat vacated this week by former councilman Oliver Thomas.

The decision places the council race on the same ballot as elections for governor, the Legislature and other local and statewide positions, which should result in a higher turnout than usual for a local special election. Qualifying will take place Sept. 4-6, less than three weeks away. Thomas, the council's most senior member, resigned on Monday after pleading guilty to federal charges of taking nearly $20,000 in bribes from a City Hall vendor.

The Oct. 20 date, which some speculated could violate a state law governing the length of time that potential candidates must be given to consider a contest, was approved by the secretary of state, state attorney general and commission of elections. It was approved by all council members except Stacy Head, who was out of the room at the time of the vote.